SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the critical role of barangay leaders in strengthening local governance as he attended the Liga ng mga Barangay National Congress at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Saturday, August 31.
The event, led by LNB President Maria Katrina Jessica Dy from Isabela, brought together barangay officials from various local government units, including Antique, Cebu Province, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bacolod City, Cagayan, Quirino, Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Zamboanga del Sur.
During his address, Go expressed solidarity and praised barangay leaders for their unwavering dedication, especially amid challenging times. He underscored the importance of supporting barangay officials to improve governance at the grassroots level.
“Ang pwede ko lang pong maialay sa inyo ay ang aking pagseserbisyo. Hindi n’yo po ako maririnig na mangangako sa inyo na kaya kong gawin ito. Gagawin ko lang po ang aking trabaho sa abot ng aking makakaya, dahil yan ang aking bisyo — ang magserbisyo,” Go stated.
The Senator reiterated his deep-rooted connection with barangay officials, sharing his experiences working closely with them in Davao City. “Alam n’yo sa city hall ng Davao, umaga pa lang ang kaharap ko barangay captain, barangay kagawad, barangay official. Iyon po ang parati kong nakakaharap doon. Hanggang pag-uwi sa gabi sila pa rin ‘yung nandidiyan. Sila po ang may nagsasabi ng problema – sunog, baha, away sa barangay, hospital bills.”
“Kayo po ‘yung nagdadala talaga ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” he shared, highlighting the essential services barangay leaders provide in their communities.
Go then acknowledged the presence of various LNB Chapter Presidents, including Julius Tajanlangit from Antique, Celestino Martinez from Cebu, Romulo Cepedoza from Bohol, Joseph Lingo-Lingo from Siquijor, Richard Julius Sablan from Negros Occidental, Shaquille Teves from Negros Oriental, Bryan Paul Vargas from Cagayan, Rommel G. Torres from Quirino, Bernardo Mernelo from Batanes, John M. Babli-Ing from Nueva Vizcaya, Ryan John Pascua from Ilocos Norte, Constante Benzon from Ilocos Sur, Roel Amban from Zamboanga Del Sur, Franklyn Ong from Cebu City, Dante Borbajo from Mandaue City, Jasmine Chan from Lapu Lapu City, and Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen from Bacolod City.
The senator also gave away shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to all attendees present as tokens of appreciation. There were also select recipients of shoes and mobile phones.
The senator then discussed his legislative efforts to support barangay officials, particularly Senate Bill No. 197, which aims to establish a Magna Carta for Barangays. This proposed legislation seeks to recognize barangay officials as regular government employees, granting them the same benefits and protections, including salaries, allowances, and other emoluments if enacted into law.
Go recently filed SBN 2802 last August 27, proposing to provide a fixed 6 year term of office for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, aiming for a more stable and sustained leadership at the grassroots level.
Go, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also filed Senate Bill No. 427, the Barangay Health Workers Compensation Act, to ensure fair compensation and benefits for these frontline workers if enacted into law.
He further emphasized the essential role of barangays in the governance structure, stating, “Your are superstars in your own rights especially in public service in your communities.”
“Naturingan man kayong pinakamaliit na unit ng gobyerno, hindi maipagkakailang ang barangay rin ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat. Kayo po ang nagsisilbing pundasyon ng ating mga LGUs. Kung hindi maayos ang inyong pamumuno, paniguradong apektado ang bawat lebel ng ating gobyerno,” he added.
Concluding his message, Go reaffirmed his commitment to championing the needs of barangay officials and encouraged them to continue their vital work for their communities.
“Bukas po ang aking tanggapan sa inyo lalung-lalo na po sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit po sa akin. Ituring n’yo lang po ako na hindi ibang tao sa inyo, parang kapitbahay lang po tayo. Sabi ko nga, Bong Go, kuya Bong Go, kalabitin n’yo lang po ako kahit saan tayo magkita,” he encouraged.
“Mga lingkod bayan, mga kababayan ko, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede po nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Senator Bong Go ginawa n’yo pong senador katulad ni Pangulong Duterte ginawa n’yong pangulo sa anim na taon. Kasama ng mga lingkod bayan na narito, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo. Dahil ako po’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.
Earlier that day, Go was also a guest speaker for the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Masbate Chapter Congress at the Tower Hotel in Manila City.
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